Have a Drink on Me

St. Patrick's Day celebrates green beer, but it isn't the biggest beer-drinking holiday.

Image: iStockphoto

So, wait, St. Patrick's Day isn't the top holiday for drinking beer? Next thing you'll tell me is Santa Claus doesn't exist.

According to a CNBC report, not only is St. Patrick's Day not the top beer holiday, it ranks at the very bottom of 11 tracked holidays, well below more demure occasions that don't necessarily equate with tipping back a cold one.

According to Neilsen, top beer-drinking holidays, in order, are:

1. Independence Day
2. Memorial Day
3. Labor Day
4. Father's Day
5. Cinco de Mayo
6. Thanksgiving
7. Christmas
8. Halloween
9. Easter
10. Super Bowl
11. St. Patrick's Day

In many ways, it makes sense. After all, No. 6 on the list, Thanksgiving? Yes, at least it has been my experience that after that much quality time with family, I find myself in need of a drink. The top holiday, the Fourth of July? Makes total sense. After all, when you drink beer, it's a temptation to blow things up, and, look, here are some small-scale explosives. It's a perfect combination.

I'm shocked that Cinco de Mayo ranked ahead of St. Patrick's Day. I'd love to see the greater populaces of Ireland and Mexico duke it out over which culture most lends itself to partying. For both groups, I would guess the distinction would be a key piece of national pride.

But still, St. Patrick's Day being dead last? Forget the idea of partying, it's a holiday that encourages me to eat corned beef, cabbage, and various boiled foods. I need a beer to choke that mess down, and I don't think I'm alone.

All kidding aside, there is an interesting trend pointed out in the report regarding our party habits when it comes to drinking green beer today:

America is slowly shifting from reveling in your nearest pub to hosting a St. Patrick's Day party at someone's house. CNBC cites numbers from the National Retail Federation that say 18.9 percent of people celebrating the holiday will attend a private party this year, versus 16.7 percent a year ago.

The trend to home-based drinking means less money spent, as beer purchased at home is typically cheaper than beer bought at a bar.

Plus, at least at home you can break up the typical soundtrack of endless stereotyped Irish-folk jigs with some offerings from The Corrs, My Bloody Valentine, or U2. Bet they don't play "Only Shallow" at your local McIrish-name-here Pub.